By Paul Hsieh, MD – New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg recently proposed restrictions on sales of sugared drinks, on the grounds that the government must do more to fight obesity.
The recurring theme: The government must limit our freedoms to limit overall medical costs. But this issue can only arise in “universal” health systems where taxpayers must pay for everyone else’s medical expenses.
Other countries with nationalized health care routinely restrict individual freedoms in the name of controlling health costs. Norway taxes sugar and chocolate. Switzerland and Austria ban trans fats. Japan measures the waistlines of citizens between ages 40-75. If a man’s waistline exceeds 33.5 inches (35.4 inches for women), he must undergo counseling and his employer may face financial penalties. more> http://tinyurl.com/7k5tzn8
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